Broiler farm project gets BOI nod

The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the P118.5-million broiler chicken farm project of RCB Poultry Farm in South Cotabato which is projected to reduce the need to import chicken amid global supply disruptions.

The BOI said Thursday that the project can produce 3.36 million kilograms of broiler yearly.

The operation of the farm is seen insulating Region 12 and its nearby regions from the threat of supply disruption caused by avian influenza, as the localized source of chicken or chicken meat entails less biosecurity risk.

The agency said RCB Poultry Farm will use modern technology for poultry growing “that will be beneficial to the growth and health of broiler chicken while minimizing cost for feeds,water, and energy.”

The Department of Agriculture (DA) endorsed the proposed project to the BOI. It involves the production of broiler chicken under a contractgrowing agreement with a large food company.

The project also aims to reduce the country’s reliance on imported chicken given the ongoing global supply disruptions and biosecurity risks, according to the BOI.

According to the Philippine Statistics

Authority (PSA)’S Supply Utilization Accounts, chicken is the second most-consumed meat after pork.

The project is seen to increase the region’s chicken production by 1.21 percent to 2.71 percent.

Although the shortage of chicken meat is not in sight this year, the DA said local production needs to reach at least 1.34 million metric tons to achieve at least 90 percent local selfsufficiency.

“The innovative broiler chicken farm project has proven that we in the Board of Investments have offered relentless support to the country’s poultry sector,” Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Ramon M. Lopez said in a statement.

“We are making headways happen already, as we will continuously pursue our goal of attracting more investments.”

Last week, Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) President Antony S. Dizon said the absence of certain commodities in the domestic market is not caused by supply shortages but by the long-standing global logistical crunch.

The lack of vessels and port congestion delayed the arrival of a number of commodities, including chicken leg quarters.

Dizon also said the bird flu outbreak in the United States, one of the country’s major sources of poultry products.